[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 10, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47406-47407]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-19412]



[[Page 47406]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0268; Product Identifier 2019-NE-08-AD; Amendment 
39-19728; AD 2019-18-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines AG Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2500 model turbofan 
engines. This AD was prompted by an inspection that determined that 
material anomalies exist in certain low-pressure turbine (LPT) stage 6 
disks. This AD requires removal from service of the affected LPT stage 
6 disks and their replacement with a part eligible for installation. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 15, 2019.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact International Aero Engines AG, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, 
CT, 06118; phone: 800-565-0140; email: [email protected]; internet: 
http://fleetcare.pw.utc.com. You may view this service information at 
the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA, 01803. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759. It is also available on the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2019-0268.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0268; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Hopper, Aerospace Engineer, ECO 
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803; phone: 781-
238-7154; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain IAE V2500 model 
turbofan engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 20, 
2019 (84 FR 22743). The NPRM was prompted by an inspection that 
determined that material anomalies exist in certain LPT stage 6 disks. 
The NPRM proposed to require removal from service of the affected LPT 
stage 6 disks and their replacement with a part eligible for 
installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA has considered the comments 
received. The Air Line Pilots Association supported the NPRM. The 
Boeing Company offered no comment on the NPRM.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting this final rule as proposed--except for minor 
editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed IAE Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) V2500-ENG-72-
A0697, Revision No. 1, dated November 27, 2018. The ASB describes 
procedures for removal of the affected LPT stage 6 disks.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 1 engine installed on an 
airplane of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace the LPT stage 6 disk..........  130 work-hours x $85 per        $155,560        $166,610        $166,610
                                         hour = $11,050.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and 
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

[[Page 47407]]

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2019-18-01 International Aero Engines AG: Amendment 39-19728; Docket 
No. FAA-2019-0268; Product Identifier 2019-NE-08-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective October 15, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to International Aero Engines AG V2522-A5, 
V2524-A5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2530-A5, and V2533-A5 
model turbofan engines with the following engine serial numbers: 
V10631, V12329, V12494, V13107, V18679, V18681, V18684, and V18690.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine 
Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an inspection that determined that 
material anomalies exist in certain low-pressure turbine (LPT) stage 
6 disks. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the LPT 
stage 6 disk. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result 
in uncontained release of the LPT stage 6 disk, damage to the 
engine, and damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    At the next piece part exposure after the effective date of this 
AD, but not to exceed 5,000 cycles from new, remove from service LPT 
stage 6 disks, part number 3A2996, and with any of the following 
serial numbers: MAP04258; MAP04259; MAP04260, MAP04430, MAP04431, 
MAP08718, MAP08719; and MAP08721. Replace the affected LPT stage 6 
disk with a part eligible for installation.

(h) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, piece-part exposure is when the LPT 
stage 6 disk is removed from the engine and completely disassembled.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, ECO, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs 
for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the 
certification office, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. You may email your request 
to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Scott Hopper, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA, 01803; phone: 781-238-7154; fax: 781-238-7199; 
email: [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 4, 2019.
Karen M. Grant,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-19412 Filed 9-9-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P